Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Trip & Happy Halloween

Pre trip nerves have started and I woke up thinking about all I had to do. Spa today (got a great deal, esp if I show up in costume, new to me spa), massage tomorrow, haircut sometime (date lost on the PDA, but I have a call in to the salon).

Yesterday Mom insisted on coming over to "help" with the yard -- we did this last week, too. It has gone from a scary yard to a scruffy yard...so I have definitely lost two days of work to yard work instead of writing work.

Instead of the usual Halloween fare, I give you a nice view...think of it as All Souls Day in England:

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Trip

I'm beginning to gather clothes for the trip to SC. It's only 5 days away! Definitley need to get the computer fixed so it can connect to the net (I think it's operator error so I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong).

Yesterday my Mom's car died and I had to pick her up and run all her errands, thus, not much done, except I took her to Barnes and Noble to buy Caitlin Brennan's/Judith Tarr's Shattered Dance and she got Jane Austen's Lady Susan, too.

Decided I can't order the camera I want online and have it arrive before I leave so it will be scruffy little disposables for me. Or I can call the more expensive camera stoers in the city, but the one I walked into to develop some film last week with shots for the website didn't have the camera I waned.

NO progress on the writing front or the author promo front, except I've been talking to people about my website and websites in general.

Monday, October 29, 2007

I got to Mile Hi Con early, grabbed an extremely expensive breakfast at the hotel, then hit the art show...well, I haven't bought any art for two years and I DO have this 3 x 10 space of free wall in my office, just beyond my monitor.

Anyway, I got a thin red velvet witches hat with stiff gold feathers, ribbon and gold glitter, the carnelian necklace (which the artist said my buying made her very happy), two SMALL pieces of women putting on masks/costumes (I know the description isn't good), I'll look up the artist and see if she has anything on the web), one EVIL putting on a Fox costume (which since my totem animal is fox will NOT be called EVIL in my house). And the ship I told you about before.

Another piece that I wanted went to auction, I heard the couple who wanted to buy it, say that they'd expected it to...she sounded as if she really wanted it, so I did not go to the auction and bid against them. Don't know what it ultimately went for.

Just hung around, signed all my books ("stock" or "inventory") at Who Else Books. My standard thing for Heart Dance is "Always let your heart dance." Attended the panel of Rocket Songs which was small but lively.

Went and got a stylized phoenix henna piece on my forearm from Mountain Mehndi and Malynda (and got the original design for Bri's bonding sigil in Keepers of the Flame).

I was WRONG, no one pinched my page stand up so I am happy about that -- it's the principal of the thing.

My panel, Animals as Inspiration, Theme & Characters was well attended and we got into a very good clashing discussion as to whether animals feel "higher" emotions such as love, and whether we can truly know what an animal is thinking. This ran for a while and then I said that in my books my animals are Fantasy Characters, that I try and keep them as much to what I believe them to be/think/act, but they are FICTIONAL, and I sometimes use them as archetypes, Mentor, Trickster, Sidekick.

So that's that. Since I have no good pants other than conference pants (with no pockets, and a pair that is barely respectable), Mom and I are going shopping in a couple of hours. I may actually get some work done before then.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Critiique and Mile Hi Con Day 2

Went to critique and only mentor and I read. I'm doing some more "Celta building" magic/Flair things and wondered if they went on too long.

Buddies wanted MORE. As often happens what was in my head in full detail didn't make it onto the page, so I have set the chapter aside to work on on the retread (when I should be writing full out), but...

Just popped into Mile Hi Con for about an hour and a half (critique in the south part of town), couldn't find one panel, DID listen to another, but I think I missed the best part. Looked at the art show and was surprised to see that I bid on a piece that I hadn't recalled doing. It's in blues and whites and is a futuristic ship with a huge spiral galaxy in the sky, and of course I thought of the ship that must be built to take the Marshalls and Chevaliers to fight the dark. This ship looks more like a boat, a sleek cruiser, but I couldn't resist. There isn't anything that I MUST have and I'm still the only bidder on the carnelian necklace.

But I'm leaving home today just in time to do one last view of the art show. Early, because they have a nasty habit of closing before the time posted in the program book.

Oh, was just reminded that I need to check and see if my stand-up page holder was pinched. I don't recall seeing it when I arranged my wallet calendars yesterday, and it's been pinched before. I didn't make a special effort to do mini-tarot cards this year, but I had some left over from RWA and they were all gone in an hour -- which means someone pinched most of the batch. Well, it wasn't a full deck and I won't EVER put any more out at Mile Hi Con again. That's two years in a row. We were doing Improvocation near the promo table and I KNOW 50-75 people didn't come by that table to each take one card Friday afternoon.

I forgot to write my name on the stand up page holder.

This irritates me because I've been going to Mile Hi Con for years (even before I started seriously writing) and I consider these people my friends as opposed to strangers.

But off to get ready and hit the con. I'm hoping that they have some t-shirts left.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Mile Hi Con Ramblings

Just got in from Mile Hi Con. I started by showing up only a little late for Improvocation -- what is it with getting stuck in traffic behind accidents with me lately -- opening exercises to warm folks up (I used one of these in Sorceress of Faith). Left slightly early because I had a reading right after, checked with Who Else books to see if they had my books. Hilari Bell read The Last Night (EXCELLENT) and since it was humerous I decided not to read Protector of the Flight (which I had practiced), and read the opening to Heart Dance instead, all of Chapter 1. Some fumblings, but I think it was ok. Then Hilari read again and I DID read from Protector -- from when Calli looks at the crystal until she falls through to the moment Alexa asks her if she knows anything about horses.

Afte that I went to the Dealer's Room to talk to my friend Jane (Seams like magik) who will be making me a kimono much like the ones on Keepers of the Flame. Then meandered over to opening ceremonies, then I was hungry and went up to the con suite and ate homemade lasagna by Sarah Hoyt (also excellent), then wandered through the art show and put a bid on a couple of things (a carnelian necklace), eyed other pieces I may or may not buy. A couple of sexy guy art instead of all sexy women (or cute art...this tends to attract very cute). Had a good time at Autograph Alley, sat with Julia Phillips and gave away wallet calendars and sold a couple of books. Had an exchange with Ed Bryant, went to a slash panel, couldn't handle it (for reasons other than the content, though that was somewhat...offputting, not often I listen to gay sex). Wandered into the bar and pulled up a (high) chair between Lynda Hilburn and Thea Hutchinson (both of whom write vampire fiction) and sitting across from CHELSEA QUINN YARBRO. We talked. Then finally up to friends party. Cheese and crackers, later a tiny cup of Baileys, listened to excellent sax on the radio on the nearly chill drive home.

Tomorrow is critique and my mentor's birthday party in her newly renovated apartment so I might not make it to MHC, or if I will it will probably be more late afternoon or evening and I've never been one for the masquerade. Depends on who might be giving parties. Denvention is, I think.

So that's how I spend time at a con. I did put promo items out and rearrange them quite often as I walk by, but it's usually walk around and look around, unless I have authorly duties.

Sunday I will leave early to do a last run through of the art show, then hang through the art auction and I have a panel on using animals in writing. Then home and collapse. Was a time I wouldn't stay past buying art, but I've got the panel...

So, that's the plans for my weekend. Have to hit the sack now, so I can print out my pages for tomorrow am.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

tesitng

Life

I went to a memorial service yesterday for the mother of one of my friends. It was wonderful. Helen Angel had been an avid outdoorswoman for all of her life, had climbed 100 fourteeners (that's mountains over 14000 feet), a wildflower expert and had volunteered in Roxbourough Park for many years. The park manager said it was because of women like Helen and Helen particularly the enabled her own career, particularly at the park. They graciously allowed us to have the memorial service on the visitor center patio and it was gorgeous.

The day was beautiful (me, being here in the house that is now mostly cool, overdressed in a sweater and was uncomfortable). The view was incredible and made me proud to be a Coloradan -- scrub oak golden in the sun against red rocks thrusting into the blue, blue sky that has taken on additional color as winter comes. I haven't been there in years, and it's too bad because I've missed things.

So, of course, it had me reflecting about life (especially since I was caught in a vicious traffic jam with the sun broiling me as I drove home in rush hour). I'm ok with my life, with what I am doing. You all who respond to my blog and send me notes make sure of that, and I'm following my heart. And I feel like I'm contributing -- spinning stories to entertain and take people out of their lives and maybe lighten the load of others.

My ex was recently in town and we visited (ok, he still owes me money and I have this vague, futile hope that it will actually be repaid, and -- well -- I'm not sure why I met him). Anyway this guy is scary-looking now with his wild beard. He wasted his life. He had more intelligence than a lot of people I know, but he also had a lot of charm and he could slide through life -- and did and has.

Compared to him, I feel REALLY good. So, those of you who have told me you like my work, thanks. And I got an email the other day (one of those letters authors dream of but sound too hokey or self-indulgent to show to anyone) that helps, too.

The sun is rising. I can see the colors of the red brick and white bow window across for me, and it is no longer dark. Since this is the first time I've been up at this hour in a while, I think I'll go look at the sunrise.

May you enjoy the sunrise or the sunset or a book you read today.Robin

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Website etc., MILE HI CON

Up late again, or I may finally be going back to my regular cycle after years of working at a day job...

Anyway, I just looked at my intro page for the website and I LOVE it. Rae Monet did a fabulous job. I'm asking her to tweak one more thing, then it will go LIVE. OOOoooooh.

Today I also got something fixed in the house that HAD to be done, and before winter. Again, the last bit will be finished on Thursday, so I am very pleased.

MILE HI CON IS FRIDAY - SUNDAY.

I WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A WARM UP EVENT (IMPROVOCATION), READING IMMEDIATELY AFTER ON FRIDAY EVENING (ABOUT 6 I THINK), THEN WILL HANG AROUND. MY SEMINAR ON THE USE OF ANIMALS IN BOOKS WILL BE ON SUNDAY.

Saturday is my mentor's birthday (and critique), and I will probably spend most of the day with my critique group, and go back and forth to MHC.

Now, I must go to sleep because I have a memorial service to go to tomorrow, and maybe my mind will be eased enough by various stuff that I can get some work done in the am.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Outside my office window

Thought you all might like to see. The tree is on my side of the fence and I judge the weather and seasons from it. Not too inspiring (and Charlie would be horrified to see that bit of trim gone, I MUST tell him about it), so the view outside window rarely distracts me -- unless the squirrels or pigeons are running around.

Worlds and Worlds

Well, I'm up late again and I'm here. I thought I'd talk a little about Worlds. I've been visiting several different authors' (and game designers) worlds lately, enjoying them all.

I guess I'd like to say that TO enjoy a world, the reader must buy into it, and again it will be subjective. If a world is too harsh or doesn't make sense or overloads with information or presumes knowledge (thinking of reviews of the later Celta books), then the reader won't feel comfortable. AND IT IS ALL SUBJECTIVE. There are worlds I don't enjoy that others do (some vampire books, for instance).

And the other epiphany. I can completely enjoy someone else's world while knowing I couldn't possibly write in it, (like the shared universe books or TV spin off series -- though I'm tentatively thinking about games...) and that makes me feel good.

That's all for tonight/today. May you enjoy whatever worlds you find yourself in today.Robin

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Keepers of the Flame, Snow, Website

Rae Monet and I are working on my website -- since Bookshelf is a shambles and I want an intro page sort of like Julie Garwood's (without the flash animations, just rollover links), i.e. a ROOM with interesting objects in it that will link to other pages.

And with the website project I did a search for Keepers of the Flame and found that some links on the net DO go to amazon -- and straight to Guardian of Honor. **Sigh** I have a suspicion what happened, but I'm biting my tongue.

Snow is supposed to fall tomorrow. I worry about the cat I've banished to the porch (he came in for a while but CANNOT be trusted not to spray when out of sight). I've been trying to figure out how to keep him in. I can't lock him in a small room, he's more feral than tame.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Testing -- Heart Choice Animated .gif

Computer Crash

Yes, I know other people have had computer crashes, but I never had. I lost my PDA, which, of course, is the one computer I rarely backed up. URGH! I'm not sure what happened. I bought a new power source and apparently my PDA's plug was a little wonky and I wiggled it and MAYBE there was a spark. Anyway the whole #@$)&$(^*&%$)*& thing went down.

Hard to say what I used the most. The calendar, of course, had birthdays, but I think I'll miss the address book the most. I had EVERYTHING in that. And the real problem is that it is an old PDA, a Cassiopeia with dictation, etc.

There are some notes I dictated that I never transcribed...some from early books, and, ouch! books I wanted to read, clothes designers that I wanted to buy...URGH!

And directions to places that I often looked at while I was on a trip.

Sigh.

So, for the first time I have a major crash...I suppose I should be grateful it was a PDA instead of my home or laptop. And since it IS so old and not supported anymore and the reason I bought it, to read e-books has also changed with it being unable to handle the new .lit, I broke down and bought a Palm TX and hope that it will give me what I want.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Critique

It's dark here, but I was awake and I'm running a bath and will listen to an audio tape (for the umpteenth time) of Orchid by Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz before I start working when the sun comes up.

Critique was good last night...which means nothing major was found with my piece, and the suggestions I need to consider aren't dreadful. I have three stock characters, one of whom will not be seen again and the question is whether to slow the pacing to add more details or to keep it the same and get Jikata to Lladrana quickly.

Since I don't think that it would take more than another page (I can only take 10 and actually ended in the middle of a paragraph), I think I'll add.

Also, I liked everyone else's work last night, which is also a plus, and which I can't always say (and as far as I know, only one person from that group occasionally reads this and I really like her work).

Since there are so many of us (and I'm a newbie in the crowd), my next reading date is December 20. Since I've been there, anywhere from fourteen to twenty two come. Our facilitator is very strict, and there's lots of time to write what we want on the back of the pages -- next week's long-time critique group is a free for all chaos with loud voices who ask penetrating questions and expect you to answer.

Anyway that's the report from the writing front. I was very nervous about taking it to the group, the inner need to be loved, even though I like fresh eyes seeing my work from a different slant.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Promo -- Chapbooks

Chapbooks are those sample chapters you see around at conventions. I used to do chapbooks for Mile Hi Con but gave up a couple of years ago after a bad experience with an outside printer. Also since then I've gotten two new personal printers and haven't really set up a chapbook to do.

I did chapbooks at Mile Hi Con because people WILL sit around there, reading.

Since Mile Hi Con is coming up -- a convention I attended before I seriously started writing -- I was considering Chapbooks again, and went around the brunch table and of the couple of people who answered, they didn't like chapbooks, especially if it was for books that weren't currently available.

So, I guess, people don't read them, note down the name, and go get them when they come out.... I know that Who Else Books at Mile Hi Con carries my books, and they are local so if they happened to run out of a title, they could put more in stock, but...

I'm going ONLY with my wallet calendars of Keepers of the Flame, I think. Already ordered and got the wallet calendars (and just found another stash of Protector of the Flight which is for 2007, so there are only a couple of months left). I found a gorgeous bowl that will hold them.

Well, I'm tired and I read tonight at critique. I'm taking the beginning of Singer For A World, always good to get new eyes.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Every Book Is Different

We were talking about this on the SF/F-Romance online workshop. I think I've mentioned it before, but it's something that bears repeating.

Every book comes together differently. I believe that's the true for those who write sequentially and plot, too. You have trouble in different spots, or the set up is easier or more difficult, or you end up adding or cutting.

I think that my first few books I wrote the beginning, sometimes the ending and hopped around, then went straight through, hooking up at the end. Protector of the Flight, I actually brought the book together in the late middle, which was odd for me, and in Heart Dance and Keepers of the Flame I wrote huge chunks of the end that I put together in chapters, then worked up to them. Keepers of the Flame also had a subplot that I worked on independently, then dropped in as needed (you'll see what I mean if you read it). I actually moved that plot around a little at the advice of my mentor.

Give yourself permission to create in new and different ways today.Robin

Monday, October 15, 2007

POV -- Point of View, and Showing Not Telling

That's really what we call it in writer lingo, POV. And if you screw up the POV that's how it will be marked in your pages.

Point of View -- Whose eyes are you behind? Whose skin are you in? I like what is called Deep Third Person POV. That is, when I speak of Alexa or Danith or T'Ash (and they are the hero/heroine) I say "She sighed, let her shoulders droop and trudged into her small house."

"I" is first person POV. Journals and Blogs are written in first person. There are advantages and disadvantages. With first person you have more immediacy and connection with the reader than even deep third person POV. Of course if "I" do something totally humiliating, you writhe and may put the book down. If "I" do something really disgusting and immoral, you may put the book down. On the other hand, with deep third POV, you can show other characters' thoughts and parts of the plot that "I" doesn't know.

We talked about POV on the Romance Divas website and I learned something about my friend, Linnea Sinclair, and about myself, too. First, Linnea said that when something isn't working for her, she checks to see whose POV she's writing in, and will change POVs.

I think I tried that once. Or twice. Usually I am solid in my POV, I know who's supposed to be talking, who I want to see the scene. I may move scenes around because I have too many in Lahsin's or Tinne's, or start the next scene for the same reason, but (knock on wood), I don't usually think too much about POV.

Keepers of the Flame, even though it was third person, was less deep than usual, mostly because I had two heroines. "Elizabeth and Bri looked around in wonder. Then Elizabeth choked as she saw the horse raise wings from its body." That is not as deep as my regular third person POV because I used Elizabeth's name in the second sentence. In deep POV I should have said, "Elizabeth and Bri looked around in wonder. Then SHE choked as she saw the horse raise its wings from its body." But this is confusing. The last female spoken of was Bri.

The fix I would use for this is to switch the names. Bri and Elizabeth looked around in wonder. Then she choked as she saw the horse raise its wings from its body." HOWEVER, a reader usually thinks of themself as the first person named in the sentence. So it's "I'm Bri." "Oh, no, I'm Elizabeth...." Any way you handle this, with two heroines (or heroes), it's going to be a little more distancing.

The general wisdom is to be in the POV of the person who is most affected by the scene. Who has the most emotions tied up in a scene.

I've also heard that in the "showing" not telling rule you might want to stick with the person less affected and watching the person who is most affected. This is interesting, and a good exercise but I don't know that I'd do it for anything but the exercise.

SHOW emotion don't tell it -- "She sighed, let her shoulders droop and trudged into her small house." There you have sighing, drooping and trudging. You can get an idea of her feelings. She's tired or sad or both (which you would get from previous and following sentences). You've been like that, right? Know what she's feeling? This has more emotional impact than "She was tired after the workday." (BTW, I was thinking of Danith in HeartMate here). HOWEVER, you will see that the SHOWING took more words and will take more sentences than the telling. And sometimes you HAVE to tell what people are feeling.

So that's longer than I anticipated and it's time for breakfast and to feed the cats.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

A Day of Other Writers & Company

All right. I spent a lot of time on the Romance Divas forum answering questions and interacting virtually. Then I went to CRW and got a real rose and SIX silk roses for past book sales and my 10th book bracelet. Talked and talked and interacted IN PERSON. Saw Beth Anne of Beth Anne's books and really enjoyed speaking with her.

Got home and worked more on Romance Divas, then got a call from good friends and went out to dinner with excellent conversation about jobs, coins, selling at online auctions, Mile Hi Con, then back with Romance Divas.

Then got an email from Rae Monet about updating my website. I've been wanting to add a virtual room for the last year or so as an intro page, and my Bookshelf is a real mess. Many backs and forths with Rae and it looks like this will actually happen in the near future.

Hung on until it was time to post this, now I'll turn on Amaryllis by Jayne Ann Krentz -- Wonderful story, hideous reader -- audio book and listen to it until I go to sleep.

Going to brunch tomorrow and will be measured for a kimono like the ones on Keepers of the Flame. My friend, Jane Campbell (Cloaks by Campbell and Seams Like Magik is going to make the kimono.

So that's all folks. No writing done, but some contemplated. May you enjoy company today.Robin

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Amazon Canned Email

I've now gotten my first inquiry as to why Keepers of the Flame is not up on amazon.com I can't tell you how many times I've emailed them, and how many times I've received back a canned reply of visit amazon.com for publishers where I'm told that I can have Keepers of the Flame listed as a Booksurge book, or print on demand, or, oh, buy the amazon advantage program.

Canned email responses drive me nuts because the customer service people are obviously not listening to you, or they don't know how to handle any problem originally, just press a button and repeat, repeat, repeat.

Sorry for the mini-rant, and I don't know why I keep trying except there was a time when I COULD add a book and have it verified by my editor or agent.

So, does canned email customer service stuff drive you crazy, too? And my last email to them was October 1. They are now running 7-10 BUSINESS days behind. Guess they never recovered from the Harry Potter fiasco.

May you have a pleasant day and let irritation drain from you like a sieve (practicing deep breathing here).Robin

Friday, October 12, 2007

So, Any Questions?

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Word Count - Out of Sequence Writing

What with one project and another, my work on Heart Fate has been spotty in the last month. It was difficult to sit down at the keyboard today. Last week I allowed myself to work out of sequence, just to get some pages done and under my belt. Today I started working on one, then thought of three other scenes, and started them off, too. So in bits and pieces I made my word count.

I've got a lot of other "stuff" I need to do beyond writing -- the trials of being a homeowner and solitary person in the house -- so I may not get back to the keyboard today, but I am satisfied with my progress.

There's some very loud noise coming from outside, so I guess I'll go see what it is.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Just for fun

Yes it is definitely cooler and fall is in the air. But this pleases me very much.

Your home is a

Magnate's Hideout

Your kitchen is someplace you never go, because you "have people for that." There's a Chocolatessen, which is rapidly becoming your favorite room of the house. Having one is also becoming a trend among your wealthy neighbors. Your master bedroom is the size of a small barn, with carpet thick enough to reach your ankles. Your study has hardback editions of every classic ever written, plus a special edition of Rich Dad, Poor Dad with the parts you ghost-authored highlighted. One of your garages holds your collection of ferraris, and is measured in acreage.

Your home also includes a guest wing and private quarters for your servants. Your guests enjoy your animatronic replica of the cantina at Mos Eisley. Outside is your hedge maze and gardens, meticulously tended by a team of world-class botanists.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Clipping Service -- Electronic

I've signed up for various google clipping services, mostly so I can track any new reviews, and it's always interesting to see the results...particularly for Heart Dance. I get belly dancing, and ballroom dancing, and PUT YOUR HEART INTO THE DANCE...and things like that.

BTW, I am NOT the Lord Mayor of Bradford, England...but the parade they had recently looked like it was fun...

Monday, October 08, 2007

Business Day

Just recalled that I hadn't posted today. It was mostly business/errands (and massage for the first time in about a month and I'm good-sore). I feel ok with the stuff that I did, even though there was no writing.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Writer Talk

Crystal Jordan was in town **waving** and we met and talked and talked and talked. I think I spilled all my secrets in the Heart series, and a few in the Lladrana series, but managed to keep some regarding Keepers of the Flame.

She'll be publishing with Kensington in their erotic line next year, so cool! So we talked about print publishing vs. epublishing, agents, stories, the market...everything.

Always lovely to speak with other writers, particularly ones I haven't seen lately. Part of the same tribe....

But it's bedtime and there were shrieks just before we closed down Rocky Mountain Diner , so I guess Denver won the baseball game.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Another Minor Downside of Writing Full Time

I've been having disturbing dreams lately and struggling awake and shuddering. I figured out another downside of writing full time. Staying at home and immediately starting writing -- alone -- doesn't always help these lingering dreams, since I usually liked to talk them over. And at work I could say a couple of sentences, because, you know, if you tell a dream, THEY get to tell a dream.

My publishing fire drill chained me to the computer so I really couldn't get out until after the business day ended in NY...it's over now, thankfully. Otherwise, though I wouldn't have inflicted the dreams on some unsuspecting barrista, I would have definitely taken myself out.

In fact that sounds wonderful, so I may pack up the laptop and off I go down to one of the coffeehouses. There's a new one, but I'm not quite ready to check it out yet. It, too, is an independent. So we have 3 in about a 3 block radius.

That's enough talkin' today, so I can get to the writing and earn a sticker for making my wordcount in my journal (my inner childlike self who writes is motivated by this).

May you enjoy your day, and tell any dreams you like to anyone you like....Robin

Friday, October 05, 2007

Covers -- Reprints

I learned something the Friday night I signed at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' signing. I was handing Heart Thief to a person (2nd after HeartMate, you know), and my fingers slid smoothly over the cover.

That jolted me a little. You see, Heart Thief, Heart Duel, Heart Choice and Heart Quest are all "single element" covers, have metallic script and are EMBOSSED. At least the first printings. Now Heart Thief was the book they printed the most of, so there are more of that one out there. Yet the cover wasn't embossed, so I KNEW that the book had gone into more than one printing, even though no one had told me. COOL!

I touched Heart Duel, even though I knew it had been reprinted, again, no embossing. Don't know that I checked Heart Choice and didn't Heart Quest. It was only out last year and it takes a while for my books to reprint.

So, if you have a first printing of any of my books, you have the embossing. If you don't have the embossing, it's a reprint.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Histories

I am writing Tinne Holly's book, Heart Fate, now. It will be book #7 in the series. Right now this is an open ended series with no compelling outstanding thread (hmmm, might decide to do something with that for the --hopefully-- next few).

Tinne first appeared in book 1, HeartMate. He and his brother took an unexpected trip (ok, I shot them around the world) in Heart Fate, #2. His brother's book was #3 and I messed with Tinne's life...so it goes.

Many of my readers will remember the history or pick up on clues as to what will happen.

That is not the same as my critique group. I know my mentor has read them all, since she is a beta reader, but, of course, she doesn't always remember the histories. So sometimes when I'm not clear about the histories in the chapter I read at critique group I just sort of sit with a stunned expression and wonder how much I'm going to have to explain in the background (could take all day). Sometimes suggestions just won't work.

That said, I enjoyed last critique group and will be modifying my pages to clarify issues. I really regret that I can't bring everything I have to critique, but we only meet once a month. If I'm lucky they see 4 chapters, maybe 5.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Reviews Again -- Promotion

I was reading reviews again last night and it was depressing. Even the smallest detracting comments all add up, and the WONDERFULs fade fast in the face of them...

Now, why? 'Cause I had to. This actually is the truth. An author must promote her book and I bought some advertising, which included 5-6 review snippets that had to be submitted NOW. So I spent a couple of hours googling Heart Dance reviews and I think I got most of them that are posted on review sites and some blogs. Got some lovely quotes, and I'll go through and clean them up (no negatives) for my own Reviews information for the future.

I still need to send some "series" quotes to my editor for Heart Fate. And since Heart Fate will be coming out a year from now (October, had to be pushed back because of my writing schedule for Luna), I should be hearing any minute from my editor about a cover conference.

I think I'll ask for a guy in a ninja suit. With a sword. Hey, Tinne is the second-in-command to The Green Knight Fencing and Fighting Salon. They have "practice robes."

DID get some new pages written, mostly because I allowed myself to write WAY out of sequence, something that will happen later in the book.